1484 



PYRUS* nivalis. 

 The Snow Pear. 



ICOSANDRIA DI-PENTAGYNIA. 



Nat. ord. Pomaces Juss. {Introduction to the natural system of 

 Botany, p. 83.) 



PYRUS.— Supra, vol Q.fol. 514. 



P. nivalis; foliis ovalibus integerrimis obtusis subtus albido-sericeis, corymbis 



terminalibus, fructibus globosis. De Cand. prodr. 2. 634. 

 P. nivalis. L.fil. suppl. 253. Jacq.fi. austr. t. 107, 



Arbor parva, coma tortuosd compactu, defoliate! Oxyacanthce cujusdam 

 facie. Rami juniores tomentosi, cinerei. Folia surculorum obovato-lanceolata, 

 tomentosa, prcesertim subtus, nunc utrinque acuminata, nunc apice, nunc bast 

 obtusa ; ramulorum minora, fere semper obtusa, juniora albiora, adulta fere 

 glabra. Corymbi terminates, i?icano-tornentosi. Styli scepiiis quinque. 

 Fructus parvus, depresso-sphcericus, olivaceus, lapideus ; putrescens dulcis, 

 sapidus. 



A native, according to Jacquin, of the Alps of Austria ; 

 but Host asserts that this is not the case, and that it is 

 only cultivated in orchards and vineyards, where it is 

 propagated by grafting, like the Apple and Pear. The 

 Austrian Gardeners call it Schnee-Birne (Snow Pear), 

 because in the beginning of winter, when gardens, vine- 

 yards, and meadows, are covered with snow, the fruit 

 becomes soft, and may be eaten. It is a very common 

 inhabitant of our Gardens, where it is often called Pyrus 

 proecox ; a name the authority for which can be no where 

 traced. 



It is very like Pyrus salvifolia, tab. 1482, the remarks 

 upon which apply almost equally to it. Although the 

 leaves are narrower, more obtuse, and perhaps white be- 

 neath, yet there are so many cases in which the two plants 

 pass, as it were, into each other, that they are most likely 

 the same natural species. J. L- 



* See fol. 1196. 

 VOL. XVIII. C 



